THE MOST COMMON WATER FILTRATION QUERIES

Water disinfection by chlorination can cause issues, in some instances. Chlorine reacts with naturally occurring Organic Compounds in water to produce unhealthy compounds, known as Disinfection By-products (DBPs). The common DBPs are Trihalomethane (THMs) and Haloacetic Acids and due to their Carcinogenic (cancer causing) potential federal regulations in the United States of America require regular monitoring of the concentration of these compounds in mains systems which not all providers comply with.

Money, money, money!! Chlorine is used because it’s the cheapest method of disinfection and not the most effective option available. While chlorine, and it’s by-products, are known to have adverse health effects on humans, we choose it over water borne disease outbreaks from bacterial water contaminants (like typhoid and cholera which plagued most countries prior to the introduction of chlorine in the late 1800s). With all the technology possessed today i.e. ozonation, ultra-violet water sterilisation, ultra and nano filtration as well as reverse osmosis, we still essentially pour bleach in our drinking water to kill bacterial contaminants. There are more healthy ways of disinfecting public water supplies, and some other countries have turned to alternative methods because of recent findings about chlorine risks.

The problem is that they cost far more, and are therefore less practical. Bearing in mind that less than 1% of all water supplied to our homes is used for consumption, it’s just not practical to produce ‘healthy filtered water’ from a central supplier. Most people are not willing to pay the price for alternative disinfection methods, which would more than triple your quarterly water bill.

The solution is to keep chlorine in our mains water systems, right to the point-of-use and then remove it from our drinking and consumption water with home filtration or purification systems, which in reality is the only way to ensure the healthiest drinking water.

NONE! It's best to avoid any chlorine in your drinking water. Chlorine is needed to kill bacteria, but should definitely be removed prior to consumption which can be done easily and without costing too much.

What is the difference between a nominal and an absolute water filter cartridge?

These are just different rating scales i.e. a 5 micron nominal filter must remove at least 85% or more of particles of five microns and larger whereas a absolute 5 micron filter should trap 99.9% of particles of 5 microns and larger. For most purposes nominal filtration is fine unless very high grade water is required or micro-organisms like giardia, cryptosporidium and blastocysts need to be removed then an absolute-rated filter may be needed.

What is the function of a sediment filter?

A filter designed to strain out particles like rust, silt, sand and clay. Sediment filters normally do not remove chemical contaminants and are typically used as pre-filters to carbon filter which do remove a range of chemicals.

Why are ceramic water filters said to be one of the best types of sediment filters?

Ceramic filters are very fine filters whose absolute filtration rating is too tight to allow the passage of bacteria if less than 0.2 micron or pathogens like cryptosporidium or giardia if less than 1 micron absolute. Ceramic cartridges ‘purify’ by straining out pathogens. They do not remove chemicals (unless accompanied by an additive, like carbon, that does).

What is the difference between a granular activated carbon filter (GAC) and a carbon block filter?

Granular activated carbon filters are loose-fill filters in which the carbon is essentially the consistency of coffee grounds. These filters are generally inexpensive and you can also fill these filter cartridges yourself. GAC filters mainly remove chlorine and will not assist in the removal of many chemicals or giardia, cryptosporidium or blastocysts. These filters also have the tendency to channel the water i.e. not all the water passing through the filters gets into contact with the activated carbon surface; therefore you will still have some chlorine coming out the other end of your filter. Carbon block filters are filters in which the carbon is pressed or molded into a tight block-like structure. Generally speaking, carbon block filters are more effective than GAC filters. Carbon block filters are radial flow water filters.

What is a gravity water filter?

A filter that works without water pressure. You pour water into an upper chamber and it filters through to a lower containment vessel.

What does CTO stand for?

‘Chlorine / Taste / Odour’ reduction. Filter makers use this designation for filters for which the maker only claims aesthetic improvement (although the filter may well do much more than promised).

What is a KDF or KDF55 media water filter?

Kinetic degradation fluxion is a metallic (copper | zinc) filter medium used to remove free chlorine, lead, iron, and hydrogen sulphide. It is usually used in conjunction with activated carbon. The treatment process is usually referred to as "redox," which describes the interaction of dissimilar metals.

The only sure way of knowing what is in your tap water is to have it tested. It is common knowledge though that all tap water in Australia does contain chlorine and in some areas fluoride. Anyone who has owned fish knows that chlorine can kill; chlorine’s sole purpose as a pesticide is to kill living cells and organisms. When we consume chlorine, it kills some part of us. It has been linked to cancer, heart disease, birth defects and many serious illnesses. However, chlorine is not the only harmful substance in tap water the risk is real and the solution is easy: quality in-home water filtration. Everyone can benefit from a home water filtration system.

Cloudy water, what is it and should I get rid of it because it smells and tastes fine?

The cloudy effect could be caused by something as simple as your water pressure being too high, turn down your water pressure and the cloudy effect could be reduced or even removed. Turbidity, which is particulate or colloidal (sediment) matter in the water could be causing the cloudy effect. Filtering the water will remove turbidity and using a filter will also reduce water flow and water pressure (Albeit Slight), thereby resolving both these first two potential causes. Hard water is caused by a high level of mineral content in your water which could also be the cause. Using Reverse Osmosis filtration will remove the mineral content of water. Then we get back to what’s in tap water, even though your water tastes and smells ok, it is often what we can’t see and taste that is equally as important for us to consider treating by purification, filtration, reduction and removal.

Reverse osmosis treatment (RO) is a process where water is purified using a semi-permeable membrane at high pressure. Pressure is applied continuously to the feedwater, forcing water molecules through the semi-permeable membrane. Water that passes through the membrane leaves the unit as product water; most of the dissolved impurities and minerals remain behind and are discharged in a waste stream. Typically, it uses more than 1 litre of feedwater to make 1 litre of reverse osmosis purified water (this can be reduced by adding and extra reverse osmosis membrane in series on the waste line of the first membrane or by using a more restrictive flow restriction device on the waste line). In a reverse osmosis drinking aqua system the idea is to use the membrane to act like an extremely fine filter to create drinkable water from salt water and otherwise contaminated water. The contaminated (or salt) water is put on one side of the membrane and pressure is applied to reverse the osmotic process.

What does it entail to ozonate the water?

Ozone occurs naturally in our environment at the outer levels of the atmosphere and is 3 molecules of oxygen joined temporarily through the electro static nature of the stratosphere. O3 is a volatile joined molecule which seeks to return to its natural H2O and O2 state and the volatility of this molecule ruptures the cell walls of any viruses, bacteria or living organism in water. Within 12-24 hours of ozonating the O3 molecules have all converted back to H2O and O2 with no traces left.

Which is the best, filtered, distilled or reverse osmosis water?

The best and purest water you can drink is reverse osmosis purified water with an in line mineral cartridge after the RO membrane. We purify our water; stripping it from all harmful chemicals as well as sediment. But in this process we also remove the minerals from the water. We then recommend mineralising your water making it the purest healthiest water you can drink. You might then ask why we recommend mineralising your water? Well for the simple reason that the human body was designed to run on water that exists naturally on our planet, that contains traces of inorganic minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium. Nowhere on Earth does de-mineralized water occur naturally. Distillation and reverse osmosis systems produce de-mineralized water with an acidic pH. Many recent reports claim ‘prolonged consumption of distilled or de-mineralized water can only lead to some form of mineral deficiency’. Water by nature has to balance itself and when minerals are stripped from water, it causes the pH to drop and the water to become acidic. It then seeks to balance itself (a basic law of nature) and does so by taking on minerals, primarily calcium. If we consume de-mineralized water, it will actually pull its ‘balancing minerals’ from your own body.

Can support runaway multiplication of bacteria. May remove symptoms or chemical contaminants without removing the contaminants. Requires sufficient holding time to be effective. Does not remove bacteria, cysts, heavy metal, nitrates, asbestos and other fine particles.

Does not remove heavy metals, nitrate, and disinfection by-products (DBP’s) of chlorine such as trihalomethanes and chloramines. Does not remove hydrogen sulfide. Easily plugged if pre-treatment is inadequate.

Bacteriostatic Charcoal Filter

Suppresses growth of bacteria within charcoal bed.

A same disadvantage of ordinary carbon filters regarding, cysts, heavy metal, nitrates, asbestos and other fine particles. No way of knowing when effectiveness against bacteria is depleted. May add silver to the water.

Carbon Block Filter with Deionizing Resin

All of the advantages of carbon block filters above. Will remove most heavy metals as well

Relatively expensive. Does not remove all DBPs. Can become rapidly depleted if water is high in nitrates and chlorine. Easily plugged if pretreatment is inadequate.

KDF Redox Filter Media

One of the most effective means of removing chlorine, chloramines, and other DBPs. Removes heavy metals. Does not remove healthful minerals. Releases beneficial zinc and copper chelates into the water. Renders water Bacteriostatic.

Relatively expensive. Does not remove bacteria, viruses, cysts, asbestos, and other fine particles. Does not remove all volatile organic chemicals, pesticides or herbicides.

KDF | Carbon Block System

Combines all the advantages of carbon block and KDF. Produces water almost as free of harmful contaminants as RO while retaining minerals. Less expensive then RO. Does not waste water. Inexpensive to maintain.

Does not remove high levels of sodium chloride. If water has high levels of sodium, or other unusual problems, RO with TFC membrane, KDF pretreatment and UV disinfection become the treatments of choice.

Reverse-Osmosis System

Removes nitrates, asbestos, Fluorides, sodium and other dissolved salts. Removes heavy metals, chlorine, and DBPs. Can produce high quality drinking water. Minerals can be added back to product water.

Relatively low output. Can wastelarge amounts of water. Does not work well if water is very cold and pressure is not at least 40 psi or more. Units with cellulose acetate (CA) or cellulose triacetate (CTA) membrane may leach dangerous 1,4 dioxane into the water, units with thin-film composite membranes are easily damaged by chlorine so adequate pre-treated with carbon or KDF required. Runaway growth of bacteria in storage tank and carbon post-filters necessitates the use of UV light ahead of tap.

Ultraviolet Purifiers (UV)

Effective in destroying bacteria when operating at full efficiency on clean water. High flow capacity. Relatively low power consumption.

Requires electrical connection. Does not remove chemicals, taste and odors, asbestos, nor any other non-biological contaminants. Efficiency and effectiveness can drop off without warning. Water must be clear with very low turbidity to be effective.

Ozonization System

Effective in destroying bacteria, some viruses, and many substances that impart foul tastes and odors to water. Oxidizes iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide, reducing them to insoluble forms so they can be filtered. Oxidizes many volatile organic chemicals.